How does high creatinine affect the body? Things to watch out for in your daily life

 

One of the items listed in the health checkup results is 'creatinine', which indicates the status of kidney function. And because kidney disease is a 'disease that doesn't get better once it gets worse', it lacks early self-awareness, so it's important to follow the risk numerically.

What is Creatinine?

What is 'creatinine' that can be seen in a blood test?

Creatinine is a type of waste product produced after using energy to move muscles. When kidney function declines, creatinine cannot be excreted in the urine, and it builds up in the blood, so it is used as an indicator of kidney failure. In addition, in recent years, a value called "eGFR", which includes factors such as creatinine, age, and sex, is used as an evaluation of renal function.

Are there any other tests you are looking at besides 'creatinine'?

Another important factor is 'urine protein', which is measured by a urine test. Urine protein is a test item that acts like the kidney's SOS. To put it simply, you can think of creatinine as a reflection of your 'current kidney status' and urine protein as a reflection of your 'future kidney status'.

Is there any standard for kidney disease?

If the aforementioned 'eGFR' is low or the 'urine protein' condition persists, kidney disease is diagnosed. In addition, there is a possibility of being diagnosed with kidney disease even if there is a kidney abnormality such as an image examination. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to 'urine protein' as well as 'eGFR' when evaluating kidney. Even if eGFR is normal, high urine protein levels can lead to kidney failure in the future.

Are you experiencing any subjective symptoms of kidney failure?

When creatinine is slightly elevated, symptoms are rare. When renal function decline is moderate to severe, symptoms such as 'edema, anemia, and malaise' appear. In fact, I also come across a case where 'I had high creatinine, but I was left without treatment at a medical institution, and recently symptoms appeared, and when I investigated, my kidneys were very bad'.

About kidney disease treatment

If it was kidney disease, what kind of treatment would you take?

First of all, kidney disease is a 'result' as a major premise, and there is a 'cause' that has become a kidney disease in the background. Many of the causes are lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure. However, in some cases, it is caused by an immune or genetic disease. Treatment requires treatment for the cause, for example, if high blood pressure is the cause, diet, exercise, or medication to lower blood pressure.

I heard that 'exercise' is effective for lifestyle-related diseases, but doesn't creatinine level increase?

Sure, the muscles you gain from strength training can increase your creatinine, but you're not actually deteriorating your kidney function. Exercise is effective for high blood pressure and diabetes, so let's actively introduce it. In addition, exercise therapy for kidney disease is attracting a lot of attention because physical function decreases to about 70% of normal people when a person suffers from kidney disease, and a treatment called 'kidney rehabilitation' is being actively introduced. In addition, do not forget to replenish water during exercise.

If necessary, do you take medications together?

Yes. In particular, since blood pressure and blood sugar cause a decrease in kidney function, medication is required if it is high. In addition, some medicines for blood pressure and blood sugar have the effect of 'resting the kidneys from overworking'. Some kidney disease is a condition that places an excessive burden on the kidneys, so these drugs are used.

It is said that the 'first treatment' for kidney disease has appeared?

You are talking about 'posiga'. It is a type of drug called SGLT2 inhibitor and is used in the treatment of diabetes because it has the action of releasing sugar in the urine. There are patients who read newspaper articles, etc. and wish to point out 'Posiga'. However, since the prescription depends on the condition, it cannot be said that it is effective for all cases. For example, if the kidney function is moderate to high or if the elderly are skinny, the disadvantages may outweigh the advantages.

The era of supporting kidney disease with team medical care

Is there anything else I should be careful about besides exercising or eating?

Even if it is kidney disease, the contents vary, so it is recommended to compare the blood test results and take measures while discussing with the attending physician. For example, protein restriction in the diet for kidney disease can be counterproductive if not done correctly, reducing body function or increasing mortality. It is best to check with your doctor to see if you really need to, and discuss treatment with a professional managed dietitian.

I know the need for a medical examination, but I feel reluctant because I think, 'I'm going to get scolded'.

Maybe it is. However, I think it is best to check your 'current kidney status' and 'future kidney status' and discuss with your doctor about the treatment to be performed in the future.

I don't even know if I'll be able to transform myself.

There, it is important to harness the power of not only doctors, but also staff called 'comedy curls', such as nurses and managed nutritionists. Doctors, myself included, don't communicate well, and in fact, details such as diet and exercise regimen are not suitable for professionals. Let's actively use comedy hair because doctors are treating as a team using their respective specialties, such as "judgment and medication" and staff "actual operation".

Kidney disease is a disease that affects not only the kidneys, but the whole body. Instead of rushing to the information that says 'If you eat OO, your kidneys get better', you need to evaluate and treat from the broad perspective of identifying the cause of the kidney's current condition or future prospects with eGFR and urine protein. Furthermore, about action of necessary lifestyle, please utilize team medical care. It is recommended that you consult with a specialist once rather than hugging and treating yourself with a subtype.

organize

The creatinine value serves as the basis for calculating 'eGFR', and this eGFR is used to assess the risk of kidney disease. However, a biaxial evaluation combined with urine protein was essential. Kidney disease, as a rule, does not get better and continues to be carried when subjective symptoms or physical diseases appear. In addition, let's focus on "what the numbers show". Waiting for subjective symptoms is NG.